HU625C Exam Revision

• People who are disqualified, ineligible, or excused are not permitted to do jury service.
• There are 12 jury members on a jury.
• Being disqualified means you cannot do jury service for a particular reason (eg. prison).
• Being ineligible means you cannot attend jury service for reasons such as being involved in the administration of justice or not being able to communicate or understand English.
• Being excused means you have a particular + good reason why you cannot attend jury service (eg. medical reasons).
• The purpose of prison is to deter the offender and the community, protect the community, rehabilitate the offender and to punish the offender.
• The main disadvantages of prison are said to cause harm to physical and mental health.
• The role of the police is to enforce the law, protect the community, investigate crime and gather evidence, question witnesses and suspects and to arrest suspects.
• The Victorian Court hierarchy includes the Magistrates' Court, the County Court, and the Supreme Court.
• The Magistrates' Court hears minor cases, dealing with minor and summary offences (criminal matters), and disputes over money up to $100k (civil matters).
• The different categories of democracy are full democracies, flawed/deficient democracies, hybrid regimes and authoritarian regimes.
• Nations with a full-working democracy have active and engaged citizens (they have a voice and can make changes in society), an inclusive and fair society and free elections.
• Flawed democracies have free and fair elections and honoured basic civil liberties, although they may also have some issues with significant faults in other democratic aspects.
• Hybrid regimes have regular electoral frauds, preventing them from being fair and free. These nations have governments that apply pressure on political opposition. They also have low levels of participation in politics and issues in the functioning of governance.
• Authoritarian regimes are often absolute monarchies or dictatorships, with infringements and abuses of civil liberties. Elections (if taken place) are not fair and free and the prevention of government criticism is commonplace.
• The 3 levels of government in Australia are the federal government, state/territory, and the local government.
• Local councils: responsible for matters close to our homes, such as building regulations and development, public health, local roads and footpaths, waste disposals, etc.
• The role of the opposition in parliament include commenting on decisions made by the government, debating proposed law and checking on the administration of the government (largest government party/coalition of parties in the Legislative Assembly).
• Prime minister: the leader of the government.
• Government is formed in the House of Representatives.
• The party or coalition of parties that has the support of the majority of members in the House is the government.
• Federal government: responsible for matters including foreign affairs, social security, trade, industrial relations, immigration, currency and defence.
• State/territory governments: responsible for matters associated with justice, consumer affairs, health, education, forestry, public transport and main roads.
• Senior members of government are responsible for a portfolio.


  A portfolio: minister's area of responsibility as a member of the Cabinet (the focal point of the decision-making process of government, composed by either the full ministry or a specified group of Ministry selected by the Prime Minister), which may include health, environment, defence, trade, etc.
• Australia's parliamentary system is based on the British Westminster System.


  British Westminster System: composed of a head of state (the Sovereign or their Representative), an elected parliament (made up of 1-2 houses), a government formed by a coalition of parties, a Prime Minister, a ministry, an independent judiciary, and an apolitical public sector that provides the government with impartial advice and implements for the government's policies and programs.
• Indictable offences: the most serious criminal offences.


  Includes manslaughter, aggravated burglary and murder.
• Summary offences: minor criminal offences.


  Includes drink-driving, minor assaults, and road traffic offences.
• The Supreme Court hears the serious criminal matters.
• The Country Court hears all indictable offences except treason, murder and some very serious offences.
• The Magistrates' Court hears summary offences and indictable offences (heard summarily).
• To be released on bail means to be released from custody (on certain conditions) if you promise to go to court later to face the charges against you.
• The presumption of innocence: to consider anyone and everyone accused of any crime to be innocent until they have found further evidence that they are guilty.
• Bail may be refused if the police or courts believe that there is an unacceptable risk that the accused may not appear in court, commit further offences while on bail or endanger the public.
• Remand: when an accused person is held in custody instead of being granted bail.
• Parole: when a prisoner gets released with conditions under supervision, designed to help a prisoner rehabilitate while keeping the community safe.
• In a jury trial, jurors listen to the prosecution case first, then the defence case, and finally decide whether the defendant is guilty or not.
• Rules and laws: different types of instructions that are designed to help us understand how to participate safely and fairly in groups and society.
• Rules and laws are made by the parliament and courts.
• Rules and laws are enforced by the executive branch (the branch of government that puts government laws and programs into effect).
• Rules and laws apply to everyone, including those who made them.